2 minute read
MAN EATS BOISE
Hap Hap Lounge. PHOTO BY ALAN HEATHCOCK
By Alan Heathcock
Boise is a wonderfully vibrant town in the summer, and I love patios like shoes love feet. Like a bird loves sky. Like an eye loves color. Though the experiences vary wildly, from raucous to romantic, rustic to homey to elegant, fine dining to food trucks, here’s the dish on some of my favorite local al fresco dining experiences.
Hap Hap Lounge sits nestled between buildings on the rooftop of Treefort Hall, with garage doors that allow the midcentury vibe of the interior to spill out onto the ample patio. With music-inspired cocktails, delicious treats from Terroir, rotating DJs, and live music, Hap Hap radiates the laid-back grooviness synonymous with all things Treefort.
The Little Pearl Oyster Bar sits on 8th Street, typically the most bustling of pedestrian thoroughfares, but this patio feels magically enclosed, like an elegant seaside café right in the heart of Boise. I swear I can almost smell the ocean while having oysters, a lobster roll, or their amazing seafood chowder. Pro-tip—hit Little Pearl later in the evening and have a night cap of their deep-fried candy bar and a Phoenician cocktail (made with cold brew, Buffalo Trace bourbon, brown sugar, and chocolate bitters).
You’d think a restaurant that sits across the street from a cemetery would be doomed to solemnity, but White Rabbit, bristling with a joyful energy, is one of my favorite places to meet up with friends. With Chef Sarah Kelly’s clever twists on share-plates (the chicken cutlet and seafood vol-au-vent are sure bets) and a beautifully curated wine list, all served on long rows of picnic tables, this patio feels like summer camp at Le Cordon Bleu.
